If you’re in the market for a fun little car there’s a good chance that you’re looking at a Fiat or a Mini. The two cars tend to look alike as far as size goes, and both are a lot of fun to drive. Which one should you choose? Here’s a closer look at what each car offers to help you make your decision.
Driving Fun
Both cars are fun to drive, but testers have pointed out that the Mini might just be more on the fun side of things. Why? The Mini has go-cart like steering and handling, which means that it zips along nice, and it can be taken on twisting and winding roads with no concern.
The same testers have pointed out that the Fiat is also a great deal of fun to drive, but it’s better situated for city driving than the Mini. The Fiat doesn’t open up on long roads quite as well as the Mini does, so consider test driving both, but choosing a Fiat if you’re looking at mostly city driving.
What’s under the engine? You’ll find a 1.6-litre engine in the entry level Minis, and a 1.2-litre engine in the entry level Fiats. The Fiat isn’t quite as peppy and doesn’t have as much pick up as the Minis do, but the Fiat power will suit most people more than well enough. If you are into a driving machine, though, the entry level Fiat isn’t as powerful as the entry level Mini. Then again, they’re not in the same price range either.
Price Comparison
The base Fiat price is around $14,000 while the Mini will run slightly higher at around $24,000. As you can see, there is a big price jump here that goes along with having a car built by the same company that builds BMWs (Mini). Minis are also more fun to drive, which is why you’ll see the higher price tag. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that a Mini is a better choice for you.
Which one will suit you better? Really, you have to test both cars out, but you can also go by what your driving habits are like. If you plan to drive down windy roads while traveling some major countryside, a Mini might be more your speed. If you want to travel well in the city and not fuss with parking too much, a Fiat is a good buy. You’ll also have to go by price. With that price difference, budget is a definite concern.
What About Safety?
In safety tests, the Mini Cooper Countryman comes out just a bit ahead of the Fiat models, but both cars are on the mini size, and that often means that crash test ratings are lower. Typically, the best ratings go to cars that are higher and bigger in size, though this isn’t always true. One of the reasons why smaller cars get lower ratings, too, is that it’s hard to see objects in back of a smaller car when backing out of a spot or trying to catch things in peripheral view.
There is a way to make any car – even a Mini or Fiat – safer though. An aftermarket backup camera can be installed on any car regardless of size or shape. WIth a rearview camera installation, you can clearly see if anything is in back of you even if your car is small and low to the ground, or simply because it’s hard to see in back of your car. Everyday, people and objects are hit after someone backs out of a spot, and this can happen to anyone. In fact, it’s why every 2015 model sold in the US has to have a backup camera.
Make your drive and the roads safer by installing an inexpensive and practical rear camera for a car from QuickVu today. Call us for camera details, or ask us about our other options. Do you like the Mini or the Fiat more? Let us know!